Chapter 2 - The Physical Environment Flashcards
Why is climate such a strong determinant of the geographic distribution of species?
Primary Producers
Weather
Current and short-term
Climate
Long-term trend
Conduction
(s) -> (s)
Convection
(g) <-> (l)
Heat Capacity
Amount of heat applied to induce a change, energy to raise temperature
Coral Bleaching
Starvation, symbiotic algae leave due to temperature stress
Evapotranspiration
Water leaves plants and releases heat
What changes the color of the Earth’s surface?
Infrastructure, Deforestation, Algae Bloom, and Droughts
The Keeling Curve
A daily record of atmospheric CO2 measured in Hawaii (away from CO2 development)
Season of High CO2
Summer - Height of Plant Respiration
Generalist
Species with a broader range of habitability, invasive, increase when climate changes
If surface temperature depends on solar radiation, why do temperatures vary across the same latitude?
Ocean currents, distribution of land/water (heat capacity)
Cloud Formation
As warm air rises, it expands and cools. As the air cools, water vapor condenses to form clouds (Warm air is less dense than cold air)
Hadley Cells
Air rising at the equator and air sinking at 30 degrees latitude
Ferrell Cells
Mid-latitude atmospheric circulation cell
Coriolis Effect
“Form of Drag”, Affects winds and currents by deflecting
Winds and currents in the NH deflect __.
Right
Winds the currents in the SH deflect __.
Left
Thermohaline Circulation
Currents are driven by ocean density which are affected by both temperature and salinity
How does the climate in Malibu differ from Calabasas?
Proximity to oceans, mountains, and vegetation
Air temperatures on land show greater seasonal variation than __.
Air temperatures over the oceans
What side of a mountain receives more evaporation?
The side where the wind comes from
Cold Air Drainage
Cold, dense air from high elevations moves downslope and pools in valleys, resulting in very cold and sub-freezing valley bottoms
